INVESTIGATIONS INTO HYPERLIPIDEMIA AND ITS POSSIBLE ...

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nutrient delivery (which also mainly is related to dogs with acute pancreatitis), and the
type of diet administered, which might be important in dogs with both acute and chronic
pancreatitis. Although the diet of choice for the management of dogs with pancreatitis
has not been systematically studied to date, based on anecdotal experience, a balanced
ultra-low-fat diet is currently the preferred choice for dogs. This is mainly based on
studies that suggest that high-fat diets (typically table scraps) might be related to the
development of pancreatitis in some dogs. 252 This is further supported by studies that
implicate hypertriglyceridemia in the development of pancreatitis in humans and
experimental models. 252 However, no studies have evaluated whether the fat content of
commercially available canine diets is important in treating or preventing acute and
chronic pancreatitis. While several supportive measures are important in the
management of acute pancreatitis, nutritional management might be the only measure
for the long-term management of dogs with chronic pancreatitis.
The association between hyperlipidemia and pancreatitis
An association between hyperlipidemia and pancreatitis was first noted in
humans by Speck in 1865. 253 Several clinical and experimental studies in humans and
animals, respectively, have been conducted since then, and today, severe
hypertriglyceridemia is a well recognized risk factor for pancreatitis in humans. 254-257
Hypertriglyceridemia is believed to be the 3rd most common cause of pancreatitis in
humans, after alcohol- and gallstone-induced pancreatitis, accounting for up to 10% of
cases. 258
However, within specific groups, the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia-